METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This study comprised development and validation phases. In the development phase, 129 young adults from a public university in Klang Valley completed a 3-day food record (3DFR), and the data were used to create a food list for the FFQ. Two weeks later, in the validation phase, another 100 participants recruited from the same university completed the 3DFR and a newly developed FFQ for assessing consumption of 38 food items. Finally, the data obtained from the FFQ and 3DFR were used to analyze the nutrient intake of each participant, and the developed FFQ was validated using Spearman correla-tion coefficients (r) and Bland-Altman methods.

RESULTS: For the development phase, 38 food items were determined to contribute to 90% of the participants' total energy and macronutrient intake, and these items were included on the FFQ. For the validation phase, the average Spearman correlation coefficient for energy and all nutrients was 0.43, which indicated good agreement between the 3DFR and FFQ. Cross-classification analysis of the 3DFR and FFQ results revealed that 79% of the young adults were classified into similar or neighboring quartiles when each set of results was used. The Bland-Altman plots revealed that the results obtained using the two methods were parallel.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 vegetarians in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia. Dietary intakes of vegetarians were assessed by using a food frequency questionnaire. Waist circumference of vegetarians was measured by using a Lufkin tape W606PM. Genotypes of the rs174547 of vegetarians were determined by using Agena® MassARRAY. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the interactions of the rs174547 with macronutrient on abdominal obesity.

RESULTS: About 1 in 2 vegetarians (51.5%) had abdominal obesity. Individuals with CT and TT genotype at T3 intake of carbohydrates, protein, fat and fibre as well as individuals with TT genotype at T2 intake of carbohydrates and protein had higher odds of abdominal obesity (pinteration <0.05). The gene-diet interaction remained significant for fibre intake (OR: 4.71, 95% CI: 1.25-17.74, pinteraction=0.022) among vegetarians with TT genotype at T2 intake of fibre after adjusting for age and sex and considering the effects of ethnicity and food groups.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study and a total of 408 primary school-aged children (male: 72.3%; female: 27.7%), with a mean age of 9.68±1.48 years, were recruited from 10 urban-poor flats through cluster sampling at the central region of Malaysia. Their anthropometry, nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice, physical activity, dietary practices, and HRQoL were assessed.

RESULTS: A quarter (24.5%) of the urban-poor children were either overweight or obese in the present study. The HRQoL total score among the urban-poor children was 65.0±18.5. The result of multiple linear regression analysis shown that higher nutrition attitude (B=0.34, p=0.001) and practices (B=0.39, p=0.001), higher physical activity (B=3.73, p=0.004), higher lunch intake (B=1.35, p<0.001), lower supper intake (B=-1.35, p<0.001), and lower fast-food intake (B=-1.61, -1.17, p<0.001) are the significant predictors of better HRQoL among the urban-poor children (R2=0.32, F(8,399)=23.72, p<0.001).

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications in English focusing on but not limited to the use of the key words stated below.

RESULTS: Studies since the 1950s of different population groups worldwide affirmed the recognition that breastmilk fatty acid compositions are highly sensitive to maternal diet. Colostrum is richer in long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) metabolites of both linoleic and linolenic acids than mature milk. Among these LC-PUFA, both DHA and AA are incorporated preferentially and rapidly within the cerebral cortex and the retina during the last trimester of pregnancy and postnatal 18 months. Maternal supply of DHA and AA include maternal fatty acid stores, endogenous synthesis or directly from diet. Decreasing fish intake concomitant with increased intake of meat and vegetable oil leading to decreased intake of DHA and EPA, and an increase in AA intake, have resulted in an imbalanced n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in breastmilk.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The scoping review was performed using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. The systematic search was conducted using Scopus, Pubmed, EBSCOHost and Google Scholar in April 2020, updated in March 2021. Only literature published between January 2010 until February 2021 was searched.

RESULTS: A total of 25 articles were included, of which 23 were randomised controlled trials , and 2 were quasi-experimental studies. Some of studies found improvements in depression (76% out of all studies). On this basis, nutrition or physical activity intervention probably improves postpartum depression. Moreover, the integration of nutrition and physical activity appears to improve depression in the more thorough follow-up of participants . Active involvement of the participant in the interventions was contributory to effectiveness.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort study included healthy motherinfant pairs. Maternal diet during the last trimester was determined with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Infant respiratory morbidity was solicited at 1, 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS: Three hundred mother-baby pairs were recruited. Maternal consumption of milk and dairy products was associated with reduced respiratory symptoms at 1 month (aOR 0.29 [95% CI: 0.10, 0.86], p=0.03) and 3 months old (aOR 0.43 [95% CI: 0.20, 0.93], p=0.03), while intake of confectionery items was associated with increased unscheduled doctor visits at 3 months (aOR 2.01 [95% CI 1.33, 3.06], p=0.001) and increased nebuliser treatment at both 3 months (aOR 1.88 [95% CI 1.12, 3.17], p=0.02) and 6 months (aOR 1.64 [95% CI 1.05, 2.54], p=0.03). Finally, at 6 months, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was associated with increased nebuliser treatment (aOR 17.3 [95% CI 1.50, 199], p=0.02) while exclusive breastfeeding was associated with reduced incidence of respiratory symptoms (OR 0.47 [95% CI 0.26, 0.83], p=0.01).

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials and CINAHL. Clinical trials were eligible if they compared palm oil-rich diets with diets rich in MUFAs or PUFAs. We pooled results of included studies using a random effects model and assessed the quality of the evidence and certainty of conclusions using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS: Intake of palm oil intake compared to oils rich in MUFA was associated with increased levels of total cholesterol (TC) [mean difference (MD)=0.27 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.45], LDL-C (MD=0.20 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.37) and HDL-C (MD=0.06 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.10). Similarly, for comparison with oils rich in PUFAs, palm oil showed increased in TC (MD=0.38 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.62), LDL-C (MD= 0.44 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.88) and HDL-C (MD=0.08 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.13). For both comparisons, there were no significant effects on triglycerides.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Papers on the following topics were presented: 1) current scientific evidence on the effects of sugars and non-caloric sweeteners on body weight, health, and eating behaviors; 2) innovations by food producers to reduce sugar consumption in the region; 3) regional dietary surveillance of sugar consumption and suggestions for consumer guidance. A panel discussion explored effective approaches to promote healthy eating in the region.

RESULTS: Excessive consumption of energy in the form of added sugars can have adverse consequences on diet quality, lipid profiles, and health. There is a need for better surveillance of total and added sugars intakes in selected Southeast Asian countries. Among feasible alternatives to corn sweeteners (high fructose corn syrup) and cane sugar are indigenous sweeteners with low glycemic index (e.g., coconut sap sugar). Their health benefits should be examined and regional sugar consumption tracked in detail. Product reformulation to develop palatable lower calorie alternatives that are accepted by consumers continues to be a challenge for industry and regulatory agencies.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 184 Malaysian HD patients. Anthropometric measurements and handgrip strength (HGS) were obtained using standardized protocols. Relevant biochemical indicators were retrieved from patients' medical records. Nutritional status was assessed using the dialysis malnutrition score. The sleep quality of patients was determined using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire on both dialysis and non-dialysis days.

RESULTS: Slightly more than half of the HD patients were poor sleepers, with approximately two-third of them having a sleep duration of <7 hours per day. Sleep latency (1.5±1.2) had the highest sleep component score, whereas sleep medicine use (0.1±0.6) had the lowest score. Significantly longer sleep latency and shorter sleep duration were observed in the poor sleepers, regardless of whether it was a dialysis day or not (p<0.001). Poor sleep quality was associated with male sex, old age, small triceps skinfold, hypoproteinemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and poorer nutritional status. In a multivariate analysis model, serum potassium (β=1.41, p=0.010), male sex (β=2.15, p=0.003), and HGS (β=-0.088, p=0.021) were found as independent predictors of sleep quality.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The group convened and discussed evidence-based recommendations and clinical experiences in the management of malnutrition in hospitalized and community-dwelling adults, and the relevance of oral nutritional supplements in clinical practice. Supported by a literature search from January 2007-September 2017, consensus statements on key aspects of malnutrition management were developed.

RESULTS: Malnutrition management should be considered as an integral part of patient care and managed by a multidisciplinary team. Hospitalized patients and outpatients should be screened for risk of malnutrition with validated tools. Nutrition intervention, including oral, enteral, or parenteral nutrition, should be accessible and individualized to all patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Education on nutrition care is imperative for healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study was conducted involving 57 acne vulgaris patients and 57 age-, gender- and ethnicity-matched controls. All participants were aged 14 and above. The Comprehensive Acne Severity Scale (CASS) was used to categorise patients (grades 2 to 5) and controls (grades 0 to 1). Information such as the demographics, family history, smoking habits and dietary intake were collected using a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS: In the patient arm, the gender ratio of male to female was 1.5:1. 43 patients (75.4%) had a family history of acne vulgaris. No significant association was found for acne in patients with a history of smoking. Milk consumption was significantly higher in patients (63.2%, n=36) versus controls (43.9%, n=25), (OR=2.19, p<0.05). In addition, chocolate consumption was also significantly higher in patients (43.9%, n=25) versus controls (24.6%, n=14), (OR=2.4, p<0.05). No significant association was found with the intakes of sweets, potatoes, chips, nuts, yoghurt, ice-cream or carbonated drinks.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Collective food data from MyHeARTs 2012 database were used to construct the MyUM Adolescent FFQ. Seventy-eight participants between 13 and 15 years old in 2014 were selected through convenient sampling for test-retest study. They completed the MyUM Adolescent FFQ twice, with an interval period of one week. One hundred and fifty-six MyHeARTs study participants who were 15 years old in 2014 were randomly selected for this comparative valid-ity study. They completed a 7-day diet history (7DDH) and subsequently completed the self-administered MyUM Adolescent FFQ.

RESULTS: Pearson's correlations between the FFQ and 7DDH for all macronutrients were statistically significant. Energy-adjusted correlations for protein, carbohydrate, and fat were 0.54, 0.63 and 0.49 respectively. Most of the micronutrients and minerals, were statistically correlated ranging from 0.31 to 0.49 after energy adjustment. Cross-classification analyses revealed that more than 70 percent of adolescents were classified into either the same or adjacent quartile of nutrient intake when comparing data of 7DDH and FFQ. No serious systematic bias was evident in the Bland-Altman plots.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This study had two phases: a cross-sectional growth study of under-five Orang Asli children (N=304; Phase 1) and a 2-year prospective cohort growth study of Orang Asli children aged 0-3 years (N=214; Phase 2) in the Temerloh district of Pahang, Malaysia. Weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, weight-for-length/height, and body mass index-for-age were determined.

RESULTS: The prevalence rates of stunting, underweight, wasting, and thinness in under-five Orang Asli children (Phase 1) were 64%, 49%, 14%, and 12%, respectively. In the cohort of 214 children (Phase 2), weight-for-age was initially documented and maintained closely at -1.50 standard deviations (SD) in the first 6 months, but it declined to approximately -2.00 SD at 15 months and remained close to -2.00 SD thereafter. Length/height-for-age declined rapidly to approximately -2.50 SD at 18 months and fluctuated between -2.30 and -2.50 SD thereafter. Weight-for-length/height increased sharply to -0.40 SD at 2-3 months, declined gradually to less than -1.00 SD at 12 months, and plateaued between -1.00 and -1.30 SD thereafter.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Eating behaviors namely Cognitive Restraint, Uncontrolled Eating and Emotional Eating scores were assessed by the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18. The preference/intake frequency/craving of 26 common high-fat Malaysian foods was assessed using a 7-point hedonic scale. Anthropometric measurements were taken and Taq1 gene polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism using DNA extracted from mouthwash samples.

RESULTS: The overall minor allele frequencies of Taq1A, Taq1B and Taq1D according to ethnicities (Chinese/Indian) were 0.37/0.29, 0.39/0.28, 0.06/0.30, respectively; genotype and allele distributions of Taq1B and Taq1D were significantly different between ethnicities. Eating behaviorscores were not significantly different between gender and ethnicities. Those with A1 or B1 allele had lower Cognitive Restraint score and higher Uncontrolled Eating score, while those with A1/A1 or B1/B1 genotype had higher fast food preference. D1 allele was associated with increased starchy food craving and mamak (Malaysian Indian-Muslim) food preference, but not eating behavior scores. All three gene variants were not associated with obesity and adiposity.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled intervention study was carried out to determine the impact of self-efficacy education based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) in 240 patients with type 2 diabetes at the Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran between October 2014 and August 2015. The education duration was three months followed by a 24-week follow-up visit to determine the progress of the subjects. In this study, reliable and validated diabetes educational booklet and questionnaires based on knowledge, health beliefs and quality of life were used. The participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (n=120) or to the conventional dietary counseling group as controls (n=120), and assessed at the baseline, week 12 and week 36. The study was divided into primary outcome measurements consisting of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and anthropometric levels. Secondary outcome measures were related to nutrition knowledge, health beliefs and quality of life.

RESULTS: The results showed that subjects in the intervention group had significantly better metabolic and glycemic profiles compared with those in the control group. It also showed that knowledge, health belief and quality of life significantly increased in the intervention group.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This nationwide cross-sectional study involved 5,332 primary school children aged 6 to 12 years and 3,000 secondary school children aged 13 to 17 years. Height and weight were measured and BMI-for-age was determined. Socio-demographic backgrounds, breakfast habits and physical activity levels were assessed using questionnaires. Breakfast frequency was defined as follows: breakfast skippers (ate breakfast 0-2 days/week), irregular breakfast eaters (ate breakfast 3-4 days/week) and regular breakfast eaters (ate breakfast ≥5 days/week).

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of breakfast skippers and irregular breakfast eaters was 11.7% and 12.7% respectively. Breakfast skipping was related to age, sex, ethnicity, income and physical activity level. Among primary school boys and secondary school girls, the proportion of overweight/obesity was higher among breakfast skippers (boys: 43.9%, girls: 30.5%) than regular breakfast eaters (boys: 31.2%, girls: 22.7%). Among primary school children, only boys who skipped breakfast had a higher mean BMI-for-age z-score than regular breakfast eaters. Among secondary school boys and girls, BMI-for-age z-score was higher among breakfast skippers than regular breakfast eaters. Compared to regular breakfast eaters, primary school boys who skipped breakfast were 1.71 times (95% CI=1.26-2.32, p=0.001) more likely to be overweight/obese, while the risk was lower in primary school girls (OR=1.36, 95% CI=1.02-1.81, p=0.039) and secondary school girls (OR=1.38, 95% CI=1.01-1.90, p=0.044).

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted at the mixed medical- surgical of a tertiary ICU in Kuantan, Malaysia. The study was registered under the National Medical Research Register (NMRR-14-803-19813) and has received ethical approval. Inclusion criteria include adult admission longer than 48 hours who were started on enteral feeding. Chronic renal failure patients and those receiving dialysis were excluded. RH was defined as plasma phosphate less than 0.65 mmol/L and a drop of more than 0.16 mmol/L following feeding.

RESULTS: A total of 109 patients were recruited, of which 44 (42.6%) had RH. Patients with RH had higher SOFA score compared to those without (p=0.04). There were no differences in the APACHE II and NUTRIC scores. Serum albumin was lower in those with RH (p=0.04). After refeeding, patients with RH had lower serum phosphate, magnesium and albumin, and higher supplementation of phosphate, potassium and calcium. There were no differences in mortality, length of hospital or ICU stay.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The data used for this analysis were from 1143 children, 6-12 years old, that participated in the South East Asian Nutrition Survey (SEANUTS). Physical activity (PA) was measured using pedometers for 2 consecutive days and was categorized low, moderate and high. Child nutritional status was categorized based on body mass index for age z-scores (BAZ) into normal weight (-2 SD ≤BAZ≤1 SD) or overweight (BAZ >1 SD). Energy intake was calculated from a one day 24 hour recall and compared to the Indonesian recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for energy.

RESULTS: Children with low PA had higher risk (ODDs 3.4, 95% CI: 2.0, 6.0) of being overweight compared to children who had high PA. Children with moderate PA and energy take >100% RDA had higher risk (ODDs 4.2, 95% CI 1.9, 9.3) of being overweight than children with high PA and energy intakes ≤100% RDA.